What Are the Best Years for the Mazda CX-7 (Answered!)
In 2007, Mazda released a small SUV named the Mazda CX-7 and then stopped manufacturing the vehicle in 2012. In this window of time, the Mazda CX-7 was highly rated for safety, price, and performance. Although all of the models of this compact SUV are known to be good vehicles, there are some years that the Mazda CX-7 outperformed its other models.
According to US News and World Report, the two highest-rated years for the Mazda CX-7 were 2009 and 2011. The CX-7 2009 and 2011 models were commended for their safety, cost, reliability, and performance. Since the CX-7 has been manufactured, the car has always been highly rated on US News.
The Mazda CX-7, in general, is a great small-sized SUV that should be considered if you are in the market to purchase a used vehicle that is both sporty and great for small families.
Every Rating for Mazda CX-7 Models
When it comes to vehicles, people are very opinionated on which brand is the very best. To truly know which car to buy, it’s important to look at US News and World Report, and Consumer Report to truly understand which car is rated highly. In the table below, we will be comparing the different ratings of all 6 of the Mazda CX-7 models based on the scores by US News and World Reports.
| 2007 Model | 2008 Model | 2009 Model | 2010 Model | 2011 Model | 2012 Model | |
| Reliability Score (out of 5): | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Performance Score (out of 10): | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.6 |
| Total Cost of Ownership Score (out of 10): | n/a | n/a | 9.1 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| Interior Score (out of 10): | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.7 |
| Safety Score (out of 10): | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.4 |
| Overall Score (out of 10): | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.1 |
Based on the overall scores, the 2009 and 2011 models are the best years of the Mazda CX-7 SUV. Many of these reports are taken from over 70 pieces of research and sources, including Consumer Guide, Kelley Blue Book, EPA, Edmunds, Autoweek, and more (Source).
The 2009 and 2011 Mazda CX-7s are very closely rated in many of the same categories. To understand why they are both so highly rated, we will look over the specs and details of each of the models. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages for every vehicle, which will be mentioned as well.
Details of the 2009 Mazda CX-7
Mazda’s SUV from 2009 doesn’t differ much from the other models, but there were a few features that set this model apart from the others. The Mazda CX-7 2009 is known for its small, sporty build, while still being able to transport a group of 5 people. The four-cylinder engine is equipped with a turbocharge and has 244 horsepower.
There are only 3 styles:
- Sport SUV 4D
- Touring Sport Utility 4D
- Grand Touring Sport Utility 4D
The horsepower is the same in each model; the only thing that varies is the pricing and fuel economy. According to Edmunds, the EPA mileage is an average of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. The fuel economy isn’t excellent in comparison to other makes of cars, but it has great handling and provides plenty of power.
This car also has many luxurious features, such as a modern interior, all-wheel drive, a double overhead camera, leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob, auxiliary audio inputs, excellent safety ratings, a solid build, and a turbocharged engine. While the car might not be too practical, the car’s features make up for its drawbacks.
Even though the car is classified as an SUV, the size is similar to a sedan. Critics have said that this car isn’t spacious in the back seats, nor is there a lot of room for cargo, but if space isn’t an issue, the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is a great option for those who are looking for a versatile vehicle.
When the car was first manufactured, the retail value ranged between $26,000-$36,000 (Kelly Blue Book), depending on the model. As of 2021, the 2009 models range anywhere from $4,000-$9,000—of course, this is dependent on the location of where the used cars are being resold (Kelly Blue Book). Overall, the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is a great small SUV that is known for its sporty, safe, and powerful features.
Details of the 2011 Mazda CX-7
There are many similarities between the 2011 and 2009 models of the Mazda CX-7, which is probably why they are both so highly rated. This SUV, like the 2009 model, is not the most practical vehicle for transporting large families due to its smaller interior. However, this car is also known for its sporty handling and its four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
There are five different CX-7 styles to choose from that were manufactured in 2011. These include:
- I SV Sport Utility 4D
- I Sport SUV 4D
- I Touring Sport Utility 4D
- S Touring Sport Utility 4D
- S Grand Touring Sport Utility 4D
Each of these cars has the same engine, but the S Touring Sport Utility 4D and the S Grand Touring Sport Utility 4D have greater horsepower than their predecessors.
In 2011, US News and World Report named this vehicle as the “sportiest compact SUV” and even described it as the “jock of the compact-crossover class” according to Edmunds. The car’s turbocharged engine ranges from 161 to 244 horsepower, which is about identical to the 2009’s version of the CX-7. However, this car has an even better steering and a more attractive look in comparison to the other models of the CX-7.
Another great feature about the 2011 model is that this SUV has better gas mileage in comparison to the 2009 Mazda CX-7. In the city, the 2011 model’s EPA mileage ranges between 17-20 miles per gallon, and on the highway, the mileage ranges between 21-28 miles per gallon. Of course, this isn’t great gas mileage in comparison to other cars on the market, which is one of the main drawbacks of the Mazda CX-7 in general.
One of the best features of this car is the total cost of ownership, which was given a 9.3 out of 10 on US News and World Report. In 2011, the car was named the fourth most affordable compact SUV. When the car was first manufactured, the market value for this car ranged from $23,000-$27,000, which is more affordable in comparison to the 2009 model (Kelly Blue Book). Since that time, the car has depreciated, and those in the market for a 2011 Mazda CX-7 will find a price tag ranging from $6,168-$8,670.